Black Iron Lieutenant, Thorny Path

Yang Ning could not help but be startled, breaking out in a cold sweat.

He finally understood why the governance of Kuishan County had been so chaotic and ineffective all these years.

It turned out the root of the problem lay in the fact that the highest-ranking officials in the county seat had been dying one after another in inexplicable ways.

This could not be explained by ordinary martial arts feuds or power struggles; it was truly bizarre.

No wonder order had collapsed, and no wonder monsters and demons were running rampant!

"These high-ranking officials who died suddenly were not weak scholars with no strength to truss a chicken."

Gong Tian's tone was heavy:

"Every one of them possessed martial arts, and they were all experts in the Organ Refining realm, having refined at least three organs!

Yet, they still died without rhyme or reason.

Moreover, it is not just the inner city; within the mountains of the Southern Frontier outside the city, something seems to be stirring, faintly echoing the chaos within the city walls."

He looked at Yang Ning, his gaze sharp:

"This is no longer something I, a Jingan Guard lieutenant stationed in the outer city with limited authority, can handle or investigate deeply.

Only someone like Master, a Chief Banner Officer, can step in personally to clear away the fog, drag the mastermind behind the scenes into the light, and stabilize the situation."

"So, Master is entering the inner city to take command, and you, Senior Brother, are going to follow and provide support?"

Yang Ning understood.

"Exactly.

Master needs capable hands by his side. Having operated in the outer city for many years, I am familiar with the various factions in the inner city, so this assignment is fitting."

Gong Tian nodded:

"As for this mess in the outer city, especially the East Street Patrol Bureau and the Jingan Bureau's covert lines here, they need to be entrusted to someone who is absolutely trustworthy and capable of stabilizing the situation."

His gaze fell upon Yang Ning, filled with trust and expectation:

"Junior Brother, you have now entered Master's school.

Master has high expectations for you, directly allowing you to start, just like me, from the second rank of the Patrol Bureau: Black Iron Lieutenant.

You can independently manage affairs in a certain area.

Under normal circumstances, it is very difficult to obtain this rank without reaching the Hidden Force.

This is equivalent to tacitly handing over the many powers and responsibilities of the Jingan Bureau in the outer city to you in advance. Do not let this trust go to waste."

The duties of the Jingan Guard within the Jingan Bureau are also divided into ranks.

The first rank is the lowest level of "Warrior," a position usually held by reserve personnel waiting for evaluation within the Jingan Guard.

They are usually in the Body Tempering or Tendon Changing realms and are led by the second-rank lieutenants.

The second rank is the "Black Iron Lieutenant," and these lieutenants are the formal, frontline, registered personnel whose names are officially recorded in the Jingan Bureau's main roster.

According to what Yang Ning learned from chatting with his senior brother, this rank is usually held by those in the Bone Forging or Organ Refining realms, and they can lead a certain number of Jingan Bureau "Warriors."

Above this Black Iron Lieutenant, there are the Chief Banner Officers of the Patrol Bureau, and even higher, the Chief Banner Officers who oversee the main bureau in the prefecture.

His own master, Sun Nian, is an unfathomable Chief Banner Officer of the Patrol Bureau, and the realm he has reached is already beyond human.

Yang Ning's heart burned with fervor as he solemnly cupped his hands:

"Rest assured, Senior Brother. Yang Ning will definitely do his utmost and not fail the heavy trust placed in me by Master and you!"

"Good!

I originally had some objections to Master's decision, but I am very satisfied with your performance today.

Whether it was killing Ghost Abacus with your fists or beheading Wang Han, you were very decisive and clean.

Tiger Soul Fist is indeed worthy of being the top killing art within the Five Animals Technique; the force is terrifying.

You seem to possess innate divine strength, and all things considered, your combat power is approaching the Hidden Force.

I am at ease handing these things over to you."

Gong Tian took a thin, coverless booklet from his bosom and handed it over:

"This is the roster and contact information for some of the Warriors belonging to the outer city Jingan Bureau.

'Burn after reading' and keep it in your mind."

Yang Ning took it solemnly and opened the booklet.

It recorded twenty-one names in tiny handwriting, followed by simple code names.

Most of them had cultivation levels ranging from the late stage of Body Tempering to Tendon Changing.

It also included their areas of expertise, as well as emergency contact signals and locations.

These people were scattered throughout the outer city, each with different identities.

Some were shop assistants, some were peripheral gang members, and some were even minor clerks from other government offices.

But the largest number by far were the fighters connected to the Martial Arena under Gong Tian.

These Warriors of the East Street Patrol Bureau usually remained silent and dormant, acting only upon specific instructions.

He flipped through the pages quickly and with focus, engraving every name and every piece of information deep into his mind.

About an incense stick's time later, he closed the booklet and nodded at Gong Tian.

Gong Tian took out a tinderstick and lit the corner of the booklet.

The orange flames danced, rapidly consuming the paper until it turned into a small pile of ash, which Gong Tian scattered into the night wind after opening the carriage window.

"You must remember the code; they recognize the code, not the person.

Among these people, aside from the full-time Warriors in the Martial Arena, you must never easily mobilize them unless it is an absolute last resort.

When you have the chance, go to Elder Song to collect a Secret Message Bird so that you and I can maintain contact.

Junior brother, you must remember that the matters of the Jingan Bureau are of the utmost importance; do not mobilize these resources for trivialities.

The Patrol Bureau and all those external forces must serve the mission of your Black Iron Lieutenant position in the Jingan Bureau.

Do not lose sight of your priorities!"

"I understand, senior brother."

Gong Tian nodded slightly.

"Tomorrow, I will officially announce your appointment at the East Street Patrol Bureau office.

You will first become the Chief of the East Street Patrol.

I believe that after the Blood Ape Gang incident, your prestige within the Patrol Bureau is already established, so this matter should not encounter any obstacles.

Chen Qi, who ranks fifty-second on the Top Hundred Ranking, has impressive strength, comparable to those few Patrol Chiefs in the office.

You can view Qian Zhong as an asset; he will become your deputy in the future.

The rest are also my old subordinates, and their loyalty is decent enough. With your strength, I am sure you can keep them in line.

Of course, if you achieve Bone Forging and master your Hidden Force, it will be even more foolproof."

Yang Ning listened with rapt attention, and upon hearing this, he subconsciously looked at the panel before him.

[Yang Ning]

[Destiny: Destined Martial Saint, Heaven Rewards Diligence]

[Realm: Tendon Changing]

[Techniques: Tiger Soul Fist (Bone Forging 1250/10000)

Wind Howling Blade Technique (Minor Achievement 190/1000)]

Even though I fought a great battle against Chen Qi and Wang Han, I have only recently broken through, and it will still take some time to reach the Bone Forging realm where Hidden Force is generated.

However, after becoming a Patrol Chief, there will inevitably be many conflicts in the outer city. When I practice my martial arts diligently during those times to hone my cultivation, the Bone Forging realm will be within my grasp.

Thinking this, Yang Ning nodded.

"I understand, senior brother. I will certainly train hard during these days and strive to master my Hidden Force and break through to Bone Forging as soon as possible."

Gong Tian waved his hand.

"There is no need to push yourself too hard; cultivation requires a balance of tension and relaxation.

It took me ten years to go from just starting Body Tempering to being on the verge of Organ Refining now, and I also spent two or three years grinding through Bone Forging. It cannot be rushed.

After the Patrol Bureau appointment tomorrow, follow me; I will take you to meet some of the deeply entrenched figures in East Street.

This will serve as a handover and also be the last time I bolster your position."

He instructed:

"I will remain here for a while longer until I have initially refined my first organ and stabilized my cultivation in the Organ Refining realm.

Then, I will set off for the inner city to reunite with our master.

At that time..."

He looked at Yang Ning with burning eyes:

"You will be the true power-holder of the East Street Patrol Bureau in the outer city, the Patrol Commander of East Street!

You will also be the Black Iron Lieutenant of the Jingan Bureau here, wielding the blade in the shadows!"

The carriage moved steadily through the night, and the interior fell silent once more.

Yang Ning looked out the window.

The lights along the streets were dim, outlining the familiar contours of the outer city of Kuishan County, but today's words seemed to have cast a shadow of the unknown over them.

His senior brother had paved a smooth path for the road ahead, and his master had pointed out the general direction.

But the thorns and storms that followed would be for him alone to face and to hack through.